Parliament, Thursday, 30 January 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education visited Taletso TVET College in Mafikeng, in the North West yesterday as part of its week-long oversight visit to institutions of higher learning to assess their readiness for the 2025 academic year.
The committee noted that students are struggling due to, among other things, unfilled critical positions in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, which affects the quality of education and impacts on daily operations.
The chairperson of the committee, Mr Tebogo Letsie, said: “I am certain that come the end of March 2025, there will be reports of underspending on compensation of employees. This poses significant challenges, as it becomes difficult to justify requests for much-needed funding if the sector fails to fill vacant posts.” Mr Letsie added that the National Treasury will be reluctant to allocate more resources if the sector returns money to the fiscus.
During engagements at Taletso TVET College, the committee was deeply concerned about the high number of vacant positions at the college. For example, Taletso TVET College does not have a permanent principal and critical positions, such as corporate services, academic services and innovation services, remain vacant. The committee called on the Department of Higher Education and Training to assist the college to fill critical vacancies in order to assist students.
The committee told the college management that these vacant positions make it difficult to achieve technological advancements in education by, for example, embracing remote teaching and digital learning to ensure accessibility and efficiency across the TVET sector.
Mr Letsie stated: “Taletso is not the only institution struggling with the appointment of senior leaders. The department must step in, particularly to ensure that funded positions are filled. The Department of Higher Education and Training is failing to provide adequate governance support to these institutions.”
TVET colleges play a crucial role in developing a skilled workforce to support the country’s vision of transforming into a hub of construction and industry, added Mr Letsie.
Today, the committee will continue its oversight with a visit to Orbit TVET College in Rustenburg.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MR TEBOGO LETSIE.
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